Women's Technical College
After taking over the Capital Women's Academy, she not only reorganized the Capital Women's Academy itself, but also reorganized all the Women's Academy at all levels below it.
In addition to her work at the textile factory, printing plant, and the "Qiming Ten-Day Gazette, she was usually very busy.
The Women's Technical College was established with money she and Zhao Ruxi used from the profits of the textile factory, printing factory, and the "Qiming Ten-Day Gazette. She needed to reconcile accounts with Zhao Ruxi and also let Zhao Ruxi see the teaching results of the Women's Technical College.
She is now particularly proud of the teaching achievements of the Women's Technical College.
"Okay," Zhao Ruxi said with a smile. "It's late today. I'm free starting tomorrow, so you can make the arrangements according to your schedule."
"Then let's do it tomorrow. Tomorrow at 9:00 AM, is that convenient for you?" Grand Princess Shangde said.
"Can."
"I'll come and get you tomorrow."
Grand Princess Shangde spoke for a while, glanced at the baby again, and then took her leave.
The next day, Zhao Ruxi went to the Women's Technical College with Grand Princess Shangde.
In Zhao Ruxi and Grand Princess Shangde's initial plan, the Women's Technical College was intended to be established in a phased manner, similar to the Women's Academy.
The initial plan was to establish one in the capital, gain experience, and improve upon any shortcomings before expanding to other provincial capitals. Once sufficient funds were available, the plan would be extended to prefectures, and eventually, one would be established in every county.
As for funding, the Women's Technical College differs from the Women's Academy. The Women's Academy charges a certain tuition fee, and if there is still a shortfall, it will be maintained by donations from the wives of the powerful and wealthy.
Women's Technical College are welfare institutions, catering to working-class women. Offering free education would lead to a lack of appreciation for the learning opportunity, resulting in a waste of human and material resources. Therefore, tuition fees are charged, but they are very low. The tuition fees are then distributed to outstanding female students in the form of scholarships.
Therefore, at the beginning of the planning and construction, Zhao Ruxi proposed that the construction of the college be funded by the profits of several factories, but the daily expenses would rely on the college's own ability to generate revenue.
She suggested that the college should be built with shops along the street and workshops along the non-street areas.
The academy established clothing workshops, embroidery workshops, printing workshops, and pastry shops. The finished products from these workshops were sold in shops along the street. After graduation, students were selected to work in these workshops based on their merit, and the profits from the workshops were used to support the academy's expenses.
As for the printing house, besides printing books that were in high demand on the market, its main business was printing the "Qiming Ten-Day Gazette" and the "Serialized Huaben" run by the Zhao Family.
These two newspapers were originally only distributed in the capital. Now, by expanding their reach to other regions and selling advertising space, the newspaper publishers do not charge local copyright fees. Local printing houses also print the sample copies sent from the capital, and the profits from these sales can support local Women's Technical College.
"You've finally arrived." Seeing the carriage stop, Madam Cui greeted them with a smile, and bowed to Zhao Ruxi, "Cui Wen greets Your Highness the Crown Princess."
"Teacher Cui, please don't stand on ceremony." Zhao Ruxi went over and took her hand. "You've worked hard these past two years."
Grand Princess Shangde oversee the affairs of the Women's Academy, entrusted the construction and establishment of the Women's Technical College entirely to Madam Cui.
Madam Cui has been traveling extensively these past two years, which has been quite tiring.
However, Zhao Ruxi found her to be radiant, even younger and more energetic than when she first met Madam Cui at the Beining Women's Academy.
It seems they've found a better direction to focus their efforts on.
"Look, although we spent a little more money when we bought the land, it was worth it to get such a row of shops. We can use three of the shops to sell our own products, and the rest can be rented out. The rent we get is not as much as the profit from running a workshop, but it's more stable," Madam Cui said, pointing to a row of eight or nine shops.
The Women's Technical College in the capital catered to working-class women, so it was located on the edge of the northern part of the city. The land was inexpensive, and the street-facing side had a considerable flow of people. The shops sold inexpensive goods, whether it was clothing stores or embroidery workshops, all catering to the lower and middle classes.
"Business seems pretty good." Zhao Ruxi noticed that the shop was bustling with people, and every woman who came out of the shop was carrying something in her hand.
"That's good." Madam Cui's smile widened. "This is all thanks to Your Highness's suggestion. Our ready-made clothes are cheaper than other clothing shops, and the quality is good, so they are very popular."
The clothing store makes its garments according to the sizes provided by Zhao Ruxi, and mass-produces them on an assembly line. In addition, the fabric is supplied by the textile factory at the ex-factory price, so the profit margin is still quite considerable.
The academy's shops not only have a thriving clothing business, but their pastry shops are also quite good.
No matter how skilled a cook is, she has no social standing. She can't become a head chef in a restaurant; she can only work as a cook in wealthy households. Even if she doesn't sell herself, she still needs to sign a contract and is considered a servant.
Becoming a teacher at Women's Technical College would change one's status, elevating one's social standing significantly.
Therefore, when the Women's Technical College spread the word that it was looking to hire skilled cooks, many talented cooks secretly applied and were then redeemed from their jobs by their employers.
Because the Women's Technical College was jointly established by Grand Princess Shangde and Consort of the Prince of Qi, the host family did not dare to detain the people.
Fortunately, the academy only needed five or six cooks, so it didn't cause too much of an impact.
Because the most skilled cook was chosen as the teacher, the academy's pastry shop naturally did good business.
The embroidery workshop's business was only so-so. After all, the students' embroidery couldn't compare to that of professional embroiderers; their only advantage was their lower prices.
As for printing workshops, they were abolished in the capital.
Because the capital city has a large population and stronger purchasing power than other places, the rent from the three workshops and shops, as well as these shops, is enough to cover the expenses of the Capital Women's Technical College.
After looking at the shops, Zhao Ruxi followed Madam Cui into the academy. She was very satisfied with the well-planned teaching area, dormitory area, and canteen, as well as the smiles on the faces of the female students.
"Are you having any trouble recruiting students?" she asked.
Unlike Women's Academy, the Women's Women's Technical College has a very wide age range for students, from thirteen to thirty years old. As long as they are physically healthy and of normal intelligence, they can be admitted after passing the exam and paying a low fee.
The duration of study varies, ranging from one month, three months, six months, to three years.
"Of course there are," Madam Cui without hiding anything. "The unmarried ones are fine; but for those who are married, many of their mothers-in-law and husbands don't agree to them coming out to study, and some have even come to the academy to make a scene."
"We directly hired several sharp-tongued older women to conduct home visits when students enrolled. If there were conflicts within the family, they would talk to the family members and offer advice. In this way, the problems of most students were resolved."